Timeline

Establishment of the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology

The African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, AiBST, was established in 2002 to address a severe deficiency in Africa’s ability to contribute to finding healthcare solutions for the continent’s high disease burden. Given the multifaceted reasons for this underdevelopment in biomedical research which include poor infrastructure, poor economies, political instability and limited skilled human resources, AiBST had to be established on a unique hybrid strategy that could simultaneously address some of these issues with the ultimate goal of delivering efficacious, safe and affordable healthcare products and services in Africa.

AiBST as a virtual institute

From 2002 to 2004, AiBST operated as a virtual institute. It operated by organising international courses on the science and technologies of drug discovery and developed where leading international scientists from academia and industry went to share their knowledge with their African counter parts. The first course was in Cape Town (South Africa) in 2002 and focused on ADMET for drug discovery. The second one was in Nairobi (Kenya) in 2003 focusing on Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism. The courses generated tremendous interest among African scientists resulting in them forming the African Society for Drug Metabolism and Development (ASDMD) at the meeting in Cape Town and the African Consortium for Biobanking and Pharmacogenetics Databasing at the meeting in Nairobi.

AiBST official opening

The AiBST biomedical laboratory was officially opened in 2005 by the Minster of Science and Technology Development (MSTD). AiBST experienced rapid growth and recognition in Africa and internationally. In Africa, major institutions like the University of Cape Town (South Africa), University of Nairobi (Kenya), Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria) quickly realised the phenomenal potential AiBST had to establish pharmaceutical R&D in Africa and signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for collaboration in biomedical education and research. In line with its continental agenda, AiBST established satellite laboratories, one at the University of Cape Town and another at the University of Nairobi

Registration with the Ministry of Higher and tertiary education

With a clear focus on postgraduate education to increase skilled manpower to champion biomedical research, AiBST was registered with the Ministry of Higher and tertiary Education in 2008. The emerging track record of high quality research in its flagship competence in DMPK & Bioanalytical Chemistry and in Pharmacogenomics, led to AiBST being made a DMPK Centre of Excellence (CoE) by WHO-TDR

More recognition and exponential growth

AiBST was became an African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation CoE in DMPK and Toxicology in 2010. International institutions, including Karolinska Institute, Riken Institute and Stanford University also identified AiBST is a research collaborator of choice in conducting high quality research. Major funding organisations such as WHO-TDR, CDC (USA), EU, ISP and TWAS also came on board to support AiBST’s research and educational activities.

A decade of phenomenal development

The year 2011 marked a decade of phenomenal development of an initiative which held the promise of pharmaceutical R&D in Africa that enabled African scientists to contribute in the discovery of biomedical solutions to the continent’s healthcare challenges. 

We Believe The Heart Of Care Is Service To Others

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We Believe The Heart Of Care Is Service To Others

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We Believe The Heart Of Care Is Service To Others

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis laore est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum nostrud exerci tation ulm hedi corper turet suscipit lobortis nisl aliquip erat volutpat autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at

We Believe The Heart Of Care Is Service To Others

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20 Years of Excellence

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